Diocese of Baton Rouge

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Diocese of Baton Rouge
Dynamics of Disclosure

• The Role of Educators in Preventing and
  Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect

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Purpose and Overview

• This presentation provides a brief overview of
  the following
• Guiding principles of child abuse prevention
• Educators role in recognizing abuse
• Possible effects of abuse on children
• Dynamics of disclosure
• Reporting responsibilities
• Difficulties encountered when reporting

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Guiding Principles

• Parents have a fundamental right to raise their
  children as they see fit.
• Society presumes that parents will act in their
  childrens best interest.

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• When parents do not protect their children from
  harm or meet their basic needs, as with cases of
  child abuse and neglect, society has a
  responsibility to intervene to protect the health
  and welfare of these children.

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• Any intervention into family life on behalf of
  children must be guided by
• Federal and State laws
• Sound professional standards for practice

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Educators Role in Recognizing Abuse

• Dealing with child abuse and neglect is, in fact,
  a community effort.
• Educators are in an ideal position to initiate
  this type of teamwork.

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Trained Observers

• Educators are sensitive to the range of behaviors
  exhibited by children at various developmental
  stages.
• Educators are quick to notice behaviors that fall
  outside particular developmental ranges.

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• Educators are trained to recognize and intervene
  when children are not able to benefit fully from
  their educational opportunities.
• This training makes them uniquely qualified to
  detect indicators that may signify that a child
  is being maltreated.

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• Since schools and parish programs are some of
  the few places in which children are seen daily
  or on a regular basis, educators have a chance to
  see changes in appearance and behavior.

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Teamwork

• From classroom teachers to guidance counselors,
  as well as social workers, nurses, psychologists,
  and administrators, everyone becomes an integral
  part of the educational team to help children.

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Impact of Abuse

• Impact of abuse on children depends on many
  factors
• Identity of the perpetrator
• The amount of force or betrayal involved
• Childs age
• Childs individual personality
• Duration of abuse

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Physical Signs

• Physical signs of maltreatment may be mild or
  severe (e.g. bruises, broken bones, malnutrition)

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Behavioral Indicators

• Behavioral indicators may exist independently or
  may accompany physical indicators.
• Children who have been victimized by abuse may
  exhibit inappropriate behavior, such as sexual or
  physical aggression toward younger children.

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Sexual Abuse In Particular

• Sexual abuse is defined as inappropriate
  adolescent or adult sexual behavior with a child.
• It includes
• Fondling the childs genitals
• Intercourse
• Incest
• Rape
• Sodomy
• Exhibitionism
• Sexual exploitation
• Exposure to pornography

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Caution

• Recognition of child maltreatment, is not based
  upon the detection of one or two clues, but
  rather on the recognition of a cluster of
  indicators that make up a composite or pattern.

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Remember

• It is important to remember that some
  indicators, both physical and behavioral, may be
  indications of something other than abuse.

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Types of Disclosure

• Direct Disclosure
• Indirect Disclosure

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Responding To A Childs Disclosure

• One of the most important indicators of
  maltreatment is a childs disclosure. As a
  teacher, you must know what to do when the child
  comes to you with this information.

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• A child may tell you directly that he or she is
  being abused. However, this is the least common
  way for a child to let you know that something is
  happening.

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Disclosure Is Difficult

• Disclosure is difficult for a child because
• There is a sense of shame associated with the
  maltreatment
• There is a sense of loyalty to the abuser
• There is a real fear of not being believed
• There is a fear of negative consequencesto the
  child or to family members

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Fear Of Consequences

• Abusers often tell children that bad things will
  happen if they tell others about the
  maltreatment. It is a secret that is not to be
  shared.
• Whether the abuser directly threatens the child
  or just implies that there will be consequences,
  the impact on the child is the same. This fear of
  what might happen makes the disclosure that much
  more difficult for the child.

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Indirect Disclosure

• Indirect disclosure might sound like this
• Indirect hints My babysitter keeps bothering
  me.

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Disguised Disclosure

• Disguised disclosure What would happen if a
  girl was being touched in a bad way and she told
  someone about it?

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Disclosure With Strings

• Disclosure with strings I have a problem but
  if I tell you about it, you have to promise not
  to tell.

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Be Aware

• Some victims withdraw while others express their
  conflicts with aggression

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Conversations With Children

• In all states, educators are mandated reporters
  for child maltreatment cases.

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Handling Disclosure

• Do not appear shocked-a strong reaction may
  affect the childs comfort level
• Praise the child for revealing what has happened
• It is not up to the educator to determine if the
  child is telling the truth

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• Refrain from asking leading questions
• Let the child tell his/her story without probing
  for the information that the child is unwilling
  to give

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• The child should be made as comfortable as
  possible
• Put the child at ease-do not sit behind a desk or
  table
• Sit next to the child

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• Do not touch the child without permission
• Reassure the child it is not their fault
• Do not make promises that you cannot keep

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• Assure the child that the information will not be
  shared with classmates or others who have no need
  to know

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• Tell the child it will be necessary to tell a
  helping person in order to help

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Things to Remember

• When talking to the child, use language that a
  child will understand

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• Never disparage the childs choice of language or
  supply terms

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• It is also important for the educator not to
  display feelings of anger, disgust, or
  disapproval towards the alleged abuser or the
  child for any action disclosed.

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Examining Injuries

• The educator should never insist on seeing the
  childs injuries.

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• At no time should the child be asked or forced
  to remove clothing.

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Reporting Protocol

• The Diocese of Baton Rouge has established a
  protocol for reporting abuse by a volunteer,
  member of the clergy (priest or deacon), or
  employee.

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Louisiana Ch. C. art. 610

• Reports of abuse where the abuser is believed to
  be a caretaker shall be made immediately to the
  local child protection unit.

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• Reports of abuse where the abuser is believed to
  be someone other than a caretaker shall be made
  immediately to a law enforcement agency.

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• Mandated reporters must file a written report
  within 5 days of the initial oral report.

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Content of ReportsStatute Ch. C. art 610

• Name, address, age, sex and race of child
• Nature, extent, and cause of childs injuries or
  condition, and any previous known or suspected
  abuse
• Account of how child came to reporters
  attention any explanation for childs condition
• Any other information that might be helpful

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• Important Contact Numbers
• Childhelp, 800-422-4453
• LA State Police, 800-434-8007
• Local Child Protective Services
• Amy Cordon, Child and Youth Protection Officer,
  225-242-0202
• Diocesan Sexual Abuse Victim Response Contact
  Line 225-242-0250
• Diocesan Counselors at Catholic Charities,
  225-336-8708